Cosmetic Eye Lift Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
The eyes are often one of the first areas of the face to show signs of aging. The experienced oculoplastic surgeons at Cincinnati Eye Institute can help you refresh and rejuvenate your eyes with cosmetic eye lift surgery, which may include a single procedure or a combination of upper blepharoplasty, ptosis repair, lower blepharoplasty, or a brow lift. Our team can tailor an eye lift treatment plan to address drooping eyelids, sagging skin around the eyes, under eye bags, and more.
- Are You a Candidate for a Cosmetic Eye Lift?
- Benefits of Cosmetic Eye Lift Surgery
- Upper Eye Lift
- Lower Eye Lift
- Combined Upper and Lower Eye Lift
- Eye Lift Surgery with Brow Lift
- Functional Eyelid Surgery
- What to Expect from Your Eye Lift Surgery
- Eye Lift Surgery Recovery
- Frequently Asked Questions About Eye Lift Surgery
Are You a Candidate for a Cosmetic Eye Lift?
Wondering if a cosmetic eye lift procedure is right for you? Consider if you relate to any of the following points:
- You are often asked if you are tired even when you feel well rested.
- Droopiness around your eyes causes you to look sad or angry when you are not.
- You want to look like a refreshed, more youthful version of yourself.
- You want to make a good impression at work or in your personal life.
- You live a healthy lifestyle and you want to look as good as you feel.
- Eye creams, under eye gels, and moisturizers are not delivering the results you want.
- Excess skin around your eyes makes it hard to apply eye makeup.
- When you see photos of yourself, you are surprised by signs of aging around your eyes.
- You are ready to feel more confident in your appearance.
Good candidates for eye lift surgery are in good general health. Scheduling a consultation appointment is the best way to determine if eye lift surgery is right for you.
What is the Best Age to Get Eye Lift Surgery?
There is no “right age” to have eye lift surgery, only the time that is right for you.. Blepharoplasty is among the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the United States, with men and women of different ages and backgrounds choosing to refresh their appearance with a cosmetic eye lift. People experience visible signs of aging differently, depending on genetic and environmental factors. The best time for a cosmetic procedure is when you are ready to address concerns that are bothering you.
Benefits of Cosmetic Eye Lift Surgery
The muscles and tissues of the eyelids, as well as the skin around the eyes can become weakened by age. A cosmetic eye lift surgery offers many potential benefits, including:
- Refreshed Appearance: Eyelift surgery can enhance the overall appearance of the eyes, making them appear more youthful and alert.
- Reduced Wrinkles and Sagging: Eyelifts can effectively reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin around the
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Blepharoplasty
Mayo Clinic
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eyes.
- Enhanced Self-Confidence: Many patients experience an increase in self-esteem and confidence after an eyelift due to the improvement in their appearance.
- Correction of Hooded Eyelids: For individuals with heavy, drooping eyelids (ptosis), upper blepharoplasty can provide relief and may improve vision.
- Minimized Eye Bags: Lower blepharoplasty can significantly reduce the appearance of under-eye bags, making the eyes look less tired.
- Long-lasting Results: The results of eyelift surgery are typically long-lasting, providing patients with sustained improvement.
- Customizable: Our skilled oculoplastic surgeons can tailor the procedure to address specific concerns, such as upper or lower eyelids, or both.
- Minimal Scarring: Incisions for blepharoplasty are typically well-hidden along natural creases or eyelid margins, resulting in minimal visible scarring.
- Quick Recovery: Recovery time is relatively short, with most patients able to resume normal activities within a week or two.
- Natural-Looking Results: When performed by an experienced surgeon, the results of eyelift surgery should look natural and not overly done.
Upper Eye Lift
The delicate skin of the upper eyelids is subject to early signs of aging. As skin loses elasticity, the upper lids can sag or droop, leading to a tired or prematurely aged appearance. A cosmetic upper eye lift can restore a youthful look to the eyes with natural-looking results.
Upper eyelid surgery can address:
- Droopy, saggy excess skin above the eyes
- Puffiness caused by fat deposits and excess skin
- Creases around the upper eyelid
Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty
The lower eyelid and under eye area is also subject to early signs of aging. Lower lid concerns often involve undereye bags, dark circles, or puffiness. A cosmetic lower eye lift can remove excess skin and fat and restore a smooth look to the undereye area.
Lower eyelid surgery can address:
- Loose, excess skin that droops or sags below the eyes
- Under-eye puffiness
Combined Upper and Lower Eye Lift
Patients seeking comprehensive rejuvenation of the eye area may opt for a combined procedure with both upper and lower blepharoplasty. For successful results, it is important to choose a skilled oculoplastic surgeon who understands the aesthetic concerns as well as the anatomy of the eye area.
Eye Lift Surgery with Brow Lift
For more complete rejuvenation of the eye area, many patients might consider combining blepharoplasty with a brow lift, sometimes referred to as a forehead lift.
In many cases, a droopy upper eyelid can only be partially rectified by a blepharoplasty procedure. During a brow lift, the position of the brow and upper lid are raised. Not only does raising the position of the brows and lids help to create a more youthful and refreshed appearance, but it can also make a person appear more alert, positive, and more expressive
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Browplasty and Browpexy, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
McCord, Clinton D
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overall.
Functional Eyelid Surgery
If the eyelids begin sagging into the field of vision, a functional blepharoplasty may be required. The procedure may be covered by medical insurance if it is deemed medically necessary. A determination of how much vision is affected is done by checking the peripheral visual field with an instrument called the
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White Paper on Functional Blepharoplasty
American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS)
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Humphrey Visual Field (HVF) Analyzer.
What to Expect from Your Eye Lift Surgery
Blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure that lasts between 45 minutes and 2 hours, and is generally performed under local anesthesia with sedation. For upper blepharoplasty, the surgeon makes an incision along the natural crease of the upper eyelid. Next, the surgeon removes fat deposits and excess skin and tightens the muscles of the upper eyelid. In some cases, a patient who has excess fat under the eyes may benefit from a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. In this procedure, the fat is removed through an incision inside the lower lid. The details of your procedure will depend on your individual treatment plan, which your surgeon will review with you prior to your procedure.
Eyelid Surgery Recovery
Following a blepharoplasty procedure, patients find that using lubricating eye drops and applying cold compresses to the area helps ease side effects and induce optimal healing. We encourage our patients to avoid strenuous activity for a couple of weeks, though most feel comfortable returning to work when their stitches are removed after 3 or 4 days.
Bruising and swelling may be present following eyelid surgery, but this will gradually subside and patients will notice that the appearance of their eyes will continue to improve for up to one year.
View Our Patient Gallery
Considering eyelid surgery or another cosmetic treatment? Visit our Patient Gallery to view before and after photos from real patients from Face & Eye Aesthetic Center.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eye Lift Surgery
What results can I expect from a cosmetic eye lift?
Our surgeons are known for rejuvenating, natural-looking results. During your consultation appointment, your surgeon will discuss your concerns and your cosmetic goals in order to create a treatment plan that will best meet your goals. In general you can expect to look like a refreshed, youthful version of yourself.
How long will my eye lift results last?
Cosmetic eye lift results are permanent—but keep in mind that while we can turn back the clock, we cannot pause the aging process. You can protect your results for the long-term by wearing sunscreen and UV protective sunglasses.
Will I have scars on my eyelids?
Our surgeons take great care to place incisions in natural creases or folds to minimize appearance.
What are the risks of eye lift surgery?
Side effects of eyelid lift surgery are rare, especially when the procedure is performed by an experienced oculoplastic surgeon (an eye surgeon who specializes in cosmetic procedures). Complications and side effects of blepharoplasty may include:
- Anesthesia reactions
- Infections
- Blurred vision or double vision
- Temporary changes in tearing
- Eye irritation
-
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Complications of blepharoplasty: prevention and management
Oestreicher J, Mehta S
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Poor healing
How soon can I wear makeup after an eye lift?
Your eye doctor will typically recommend that you refrain from wearing eye makeup for at least 2 weeks after surgery.
How soon can I wear contact lenses after an eye lift?
Your eye doctor will typically recommend that you wait at least 2 weeks after surgery to wear contact lenses.
Will my insurance cover eye lift surgery?
The oculoplastic surgeons at CEI are experts in navigating the insurance approval process for patients who meet the criteria. Patients frequently combine aesthetic procedures (lower lift blepharoplasty, browlift) with procedures covered by insurance.
Why should I choose an oculoplastic surgeon for this procedure?
Unlike a general plastic surgeon who performs surgery on all parts of the body, an oculoplastic surgeon is an eye surgeon who undergoes additional specialized training to perform aesthetic and reconstructive procedures on the delicate tissues of the periocular region. An oculoplastic surgeon is uniquely qualified to perform surgery around the eyes.
Interested in Eyelid Surgery or Rejuvenation?
At CEI, our oculoplastic surgeons are experts in both the appearance and function of the eyes and can adjust the surrounding tissues to help you enhance your appearance
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1 Mayo Clinic. Blepharoplasty. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/blepharoplasty/about/pac-20385174. Accessed September 12, 2023
2 McCord, Clinton D. M.D.; Doxanas, Marcos T. M.D. Browplasty and Browpexy, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: August 1990 – Volume 86 – Issue 2 – p 248-254. Available: https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/1990/08000/Browplasty_and_Browpexy__An_Adjunct_to.7.aspx. Accessed November 17, 2020.
3 American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS). White Paper on Functional Blepharoplasty. Available: https://www.asoprs.org/assets/docs/1%20-%20FINAL%20ASOPRS%20White%20Paper%20January%202015.pdf. Accessed November 17, 2020.
4 Oestreicher J, Mehta S. Complications of blepharoplasty: prevention and management. Plast Surg Int. 2012;2012:252368. doi: 10.1155/2012/252368. Epub 2012 May 8. PMID: 22655191; PMCID: PMC3357590.
The doctors at Cincinnati Eye Institute have either authored or reviewed the content on this site.